NEWSLETTER
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From a very happy post about the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen to a more unhappy one.
Adbert Alzolay, placed on the Injured List about 10 days ago because of a forearm issue, is now getting a second opinion from a noted surgeon. That alone is concerning – does that mean it’s still feeling bad after a period of rest? – but any time you start even discussing the possibility of surgery, the concern ratchets up.
‘Adbert Alzolay visited Dr. Keith Meister this week for a second opinion on the forearm strain that landed him on the IL over a week ago. Meister is one of the leading elbow surgeons, having performed Tommy John surgery on numerous major leaguers, including Liam Hendriks, Jacob deGrom and Sandy Alcántara, to name a few.
But the belief — and hope — is that Alzolay won’t follow the paths of that trio. According to a source, the injury is believed to be in the flexor tendon region and not the ulnar collateral ligament (that leads to Tommy John surgery), but the second opinion will help provide clarity.
Manager Craig Counsell didn’t provide much beyond the fact that “Adbert went to get a second opinion, so we’re just waiting on that right now.”’
Hopefully the opinion is that surgery is not necessary. If it is, then hopefully the opinion is that we’re looking at a flexor tendon issue, not a UCL issue. That said, flexor tendon surgery would almost certainly still cost Alzolay the rest of the season. Moreover, sometimes flexor tendon issues are a precursor to UCL issues. Still, if this is a surgery situation, far better for it to be something that is a 6 to 9-month recovery procedure, rather than a 12 to 14-month recovery procedure, like Tommy John.
Again, though, you’re rooting for a rest, recovery, and rehab situation rather than surgery, if it all possible.
Either way, if Alzolay is seeking this kind of second opinion 10 days after going on the IL, it doesn’t sound like this is likely to be a very short-term injury. We’ll see what comes out this week. Fingers crossed. The Cubs’ bullpen is still much better with a healthy and effective Adbert Alzolay in it.
UPDATE: Shut down for two weeks (at least).
